About IHCAP

IHCAP or the Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme is a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and is being implemented in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

We work in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). IHR houses one of the largest resources of snow and ice in the world. The region is highly dynamic but also very fragile. The impacts of climate change in the region are real. Increasing temperatures, melting glaciers, erratic and unpredictable weather conditions and changing rainfall patterns are affecting the regional ecology, agriculture productivity, water resources and the livelihoods of the mountain communities.

Taking into consideration the vulnerability of the region to climate change and the dependence of a vast population on it, it is paramount to improve scientific understanding about climate change and to generate new knowledge about climate change impacts in the region. At the same time, it is equally important to enhance resilience of the people directly dependent on the region, and to strengthen capacities of individuals and institutions to plan and implement climate change adaptation measures. There is also an urgent need to reduce the gap between science, policy and practice in the Indian Himalayan Region.

Recognizing this challenge, the Government of India had launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008, with a Mission dedicated specifically to the Himalayan region- the National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE). NMSHE is a multi-pronged, cross-cutting mission across various sectors. It contributes to the sustainable development of the country by enhancing the understanding of climate change, its likely impacts and adaptation actions required for the Himalayas.

OUR OBJECTIVES

Our primary objective is to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable mountain communities in the Indian Himalayas to climate change. To accomplish this, we're working towards enhancing the knowledge and capacities of research institutions, communities, decision-makers and implementers on climate science and adaptation planning in the Indian Himalayan Region.

IHCAP Phase 2 (2016-2019) is an initiative to support and facilitate the implementation of NMSHE as a technical and knowledge partner.

IHCAP Phase 2 has three specific objectives

Knowledge increased on impacts of and vulnerability to climate change of the Himalayan socio-ecological system.

Capacities of academic and public institutions to address climate change in the Indian Himalayan Region are enhanced.

Awareness is increased, policymakers are informed and knowledge is disseminated in the Indian Himalayan Region, Hindu Kush Himalayas and beyond.

Brochure download

Our primary objective is to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable mountain communities in the Indian Himalayas to climate change. To accomplish this, we're working towards enhancing the knowledge and capacities of research institutions, communities, decision-makers and implementers on climate science and adaptation planning in the Indian Himalayan Region.